Bomb



F; M. THOMAS.

BOMB.

APPLICATION FILED-JAN. II, 191 8.

1,333,786. Patented Mar. 16,1920. ZSHEETSTSIHEETI- F. M. THOMAS.

BOMB.

APPLICATION map JA-N;.H,1918. I I 1,333,786. Patented M31216, 1920,

' Z/SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fwma.

FRANK M. THOMAS, or CATSKILL, NEW YORK.

BOMB.

Specification of Letters Patent. P mm 1 19 0,

Application filed January 11, 1918. Serial No. 211,372.

To allw lwnt it may concern:

Be itknown that I, FRANK M. THoMAs,

a citizen of the United States, residing at' Catskill, in the county of Greene and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bombs and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,-and exact description of the invention,

' such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an incendiary bomb, and the primary object of the inven-' tion is to provide an aerial incendiary or combustible bomb embodying 'a self-igniting principle, which is constructed to prevent accidental operation of the bomb, and one that can be easily and quickly operated by-an aviator or bomber, \vhen droppedto permit of the self-igniting thereof.

More specifically, this invention comprehends a bomb-shell or container in which is positioned phosphorus submergedin any suitable type of liquid, such as water, gasolene or= the'like and. through which casing extends a central foraminous flue having communication through a plug with the atmosphere below the bottom of the casing and withthe atmosphere above the top of the casing through an opening in the upper endthereof and to provide suitable valves for normally.closing the opening with the atmosphere, to hermetically seal the casing to prevent evaporation of the liquid contained therein and the consequent inflaming .or burning of the phosphorus,

\ Another object of this invention is topro-.

'vide means for unseating said valve which is operated bythe'partial rotation of a hanfor the opening in the bomb'casing, perdle and a head having cam surfaces thereonso that when the person dropping the bomb holds it suspended, he can by a slight twist of the handle move thehandle into a releasing position which willallow the bomb proper to fall free of the valve or closer plug mitting of an air circulation upwardly through the bomb casing, as it falls which will carry the liquid out of the bomb in the first few hundred feet of the drop "of the bomb after which theair rushing through the central flue of the bomb will create sufficient friction or heat and ignite the phosphorus, causing the spreading of fire or flame in the path of the bomb and burning like and corresponding the several v ews and in which:

anything which' it strikes; for instance should the bomb be dropped upon a build- 1ng, from any comparatively great he ght,

upon penetration of the building it would set fire to the same.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bomb as specified, the lower portion of which casing may be filled with any suitable type ofexplosives or. with shrapnel or any other munitions requiring positive ignition so that when the phosphorus Within the, bomb is ignited and the fire is transmitted to the munitions carried by the lower'portion of the bomb, the latter will explode, and scatter the burning phosphorus over a wide area.

With the foregoing and other objects in Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved bombc Fig.2 is a vertical section through the bomb.

Fig. 3 is a top plan of the structure for I looking the valve 1n closed position.

'Flg. 4 is a detail view of the valve'for closing the opening at the lower end of the central flue.

I Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of the handle and cam locks for locking the valves in place. i

Fig. 6 is a sectional view through a modified form of the bomb and -Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of a member inserted in the lower end of bomb while the bomb is being filled.

. Referring more particularly to the drawings, 1 designates thecasing of the bomb as an entirety which is composed of a pair of hollow substantially frusto-conical. sections,

2 and3, which sections may be constructed of steel or any suitable material. The. sec- .tions 2 and 3 have their bases or large portions-positioned inengagement with each other, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings and connected by a'band 4 of soft solder. Y

Guiding wings or planes 5 are connected to the section 2 of the casing 1 in any suitable manner and they are provided for holding the bomb in proper position, during its opening 10 the sides of which converge as.

they extend upwardly, to the point 11 which is a short distance below the upper end of the plug, from which they diverge, to form a valve seat 12 in which is mounted a barrel valve-13. The barrel valve 13 is provided with a lower portion 14 for seating in the valve seat 12 to close the opening 10 through the plug 6 and with an upper section 15. The upper section 15 of the barrel valve has a vertical centrally disposed bore 16 communicating with a transversely extending opening 17. A valve stem18 extendsdownwardly into the bore 16 and it has a pin 19 to be conveniently gripped by the fingers-of extending diametrically therethrough which pin seats in the opening 17 ,for connecting the valve stem 18 to the valve 13 to prevent vertical movement of the valve stem independently of the valve but to permit limited rotary movement of the valve stem' independently of the valve. The upper end of the'valve 13 is recessed, as shown at 20, and the lower end ofa spring 21 rests in the recess while the upper end of the spring rests in the recess 22 formed in a member 23 which is attached to the valve stem 18. The spring 21 is providedfor holding the valve 13-seated during rotary movement of the valve stem 18.

The casing 1 has a locking element 25 attached to the upper end of the same which comprises a valve seat 26 and a channeled ring 27 the latter of which projects above the upper end of the casing and is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed cut out portions 28 and 29.

A handle 30 is provided which is shaped the person dropping 'the bomb and this handle is connected by a stem 31 with a disk 33 which rests upon the upper surface of the bottom wall or side of the channeled ring 25 and has a pair ofcams 34 attached to .its upper surface. The cams 34 are beveled oppositely to each other as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 5 of the drawings and their upper surfaces inclined for engagement with the under surface of the overhanging flange of the channeled ring or collar 25 for securely connecting the handle to the bomb casing 1 and also for firmly seating the valve 35 in the valve seat 26. The valve 35 upon the valve stem. The valve stem 18 projects upwardly through the disk 33 and into the stem 31 being connected to the stem by a pin 37. The disk 33 has outwardly extending pins 38 formed integrally therewith and projecting radially from the periphery of disk at the thick end of the cams 34, for engagement with the end of the channeled collar 25, to limit the rotation of the disk with respect to the collar.

The channeled collar 25 has an ear'39 formed thereon and a set screw 40 extends through the collar for engagement with the outer side of one of the cams 34 to hold the cam, disk 33 and handle 30 against accidental rotation with respect to the collar 25 and consequently with respect to the bomb casing 1. The set screw 40 has a fiattened head 41 which is provided with a pair of openings 42. A sealing wire 43'extends through an opening in the ear 39 and through one of the openings 42 in the fiattened head 41 of the set screw 40,.and has its end connected by the usual type of lead seal indicated at 44 to securely lock .the set screw 40 against rotation and consequently lock the disk 33 and cam 34 carried thereby against accidental rotation with respect to the collar 25 so as to prevent the accidental disconnection of the parts of the bomb.

The plug 6 is provided with a reduced portion or annular recess 45 formed about its upper end in which is seated the lower end of a foraminous flue 46. The flue 46 is constructed of relatively heavy wire mesh and its sides taper, so that its upper end will be of smaller diameter than its lower end. The flue 46 extends centrally through the casing 1 and about the valve stem 18, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

When the bomb is being charged, the device illustrated in 7 of the drawings and generically'indicated by the numeral 50 is positioned so that'the spring grip 51 thereofwill engage the sides of the lower section 3 of the bomb casing and the sub-' -stantiallyfrusto-conicalrubber or resilientplug 52 will be inserted in the opening 10 of the .plug. 6. After the member 50 has been properly positioned, the bomb is filled or charged with the inflammable material indicated by .the numeral 55 which material is preferably phosphorus and it is immersed in'a liquid, such as water, .gasolene or the like to prevent the burning of the same. When the bomb has been filled the member 50 is. removed and the closure 9 is applied. When the bomb is to be dropped, the ca 9 is removed from the bottom of the bom and the wire 43 broken, after which the formed in the channeled collar 25.

will release the connection between the.

thing which it strikes.

screw is moved outwardly to permit rotation of the disk 33. The person dropping the bomb then holds it suspended over the article upon which the bomb 'is to be dropped and by a slight twist," may rotate the handle 30 -so as to bring the cams 34 in alinement with the openings 28 and 29 This forced out of the bomb casing 1 by the air after which the-air will'strike the phosphorus, and ignite the same. The foramin 'ous flue 46 will, owing to the fact that its upper end is smaller than its lower end cause the branchin out and swirling of the air within the casing 1, increasing theair friction and ignition of. the phos horus causing the bomb to leave a trail of re behind'it and also causing it to set fire to anywithin the casing 1 by the burning'of the phosphorus will melt the soft solder ring 4, allowing the separation of the sections 2 and 3 of the bomb casing and causing a wider scattering of the burning phosphorus.

In (Fig. 6 of the drawings, a modified" form of the improved bomb is illustrated. In this form, the bomb casing isformed of a single piece, shaped to assume the, shape of the casing 1. The casing-60 has a plug 61 mounted in the lower-end of the same which is identical in construction with t the plug 6 and the bomb also has a flt 'ie62 positioned centrally therein the lower endofwhich flue-is attached to the plug 61-.-

The flue 62 is composed of a' lower solid fv section 63 and an upperforaminous section 64 and the shell or casm'g-GO-"of the'bomb'- is loaded or charge'd with phosphorusimmersed in a liquidabovethe upper end'of the imperforate secti0n'63 of the flue 62 as shown at 65 and with dynamite, gun cotton, or any other suitable explosive below the 'upper end of the imperforate section63 as shown in-66. In 'all other respects, the

,modified form of the bomb is identical with the construction of the preferred formfia eretofore described, and it is operate or .dropped in the same'manner as the pre ferredform of bomb. The operation howeverof the modified form of bomb is different in that the burning phosphorus will in time, explode or ignite the explosive charge 66 of 'the'bomb, which will scatter the burning'phosphorus 'over a wide area and have a tendency to blow up any article The heat created h which the bomb strikes as well as set fire to the same.

From the foregoing description'taken in connection with the accompanying drawings the advantages of construction and the 70 method of operation of the improved bomb will be readily apparent to those skilled in. the artto whichthis invention appertains and, while in the foregoing description, the principle bf the operation of this invention has been described together with various features of construction, it is to be understood that certain minor features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts may be altered to suit pract1cal conditions provided such alterations are comprehended within the scope of what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An incendiary bomb com rising at casing having a central longitu' inal passa e formed therethrough which has both, en s open during the flight of the bomb, means a apted to close the passage and "to be removed therefrom upon the starting of the flight of the bomb, and material held within .90

the casing and adapted to chemicall combine with the oxygen in the air for e eating a spontaneouscombustion, said material'being so arranged that it contacts with the air passing through the central longitudinal passae.-'-

2. n incendiary bomb oomprisinga-casing having a longitudinal passage formed therethro-ugh, means adapted to close the passage and to'be removed therefrom upon100' v the starting .of'the flight-of the bomb, means to lock the passage closing means a ainst accidental displacement and materia heldwith'n the casing and ad combine with the oxygen in the air for ef- 10-5 apted'to chemically fecting a spontaneouscombustion, said material being so arranged .thatitcontacts with the air passing through the longitudina pssae- ,3. n incendiary bomb comprising a cas- 11:0

ing having a longitudinal passage formed in the central'portion thereof means'adapted to close the passage to exclude air therefrom andtobe removed therefrom upon the starting of the flight of the bomb, a material .held within the. casing and su'rroun'din-gthe passage and'adaptedto chemically combine- ;with the oxygen in the/air for effecting spontaneous COIIhbllStlOh5 and a liquid held 7 within the casing and normally having the 12.0

material immersed therein to prevent the premature combustion of the same.

4. An aerial incendiary bomb com-prising acasing, material held within the casing and adaptedto chemicall combine with the I oxy en in the' air for e ecting spontaneous 'com ustion, and means associated with the casing whereby air is brou htinto contact 1gvithb'said material during t e flight of the v0111' 5. An aerial incendiary bomb comprising a casing, material held within the casing and adapted to chemically combine with the oxygen in the air for effecting spontaneous combustion, means associated with the casing whereby air is brought into contact with the material during the flight of the bomb, and means for preventing the accidental premature combustion of said material prior to the flight of the bomb.

6. An aerial incendiary bombcomprising a casing, material held within the casing which is adapted to chemically combine with the oxygen in the air during the flight of the bomb for effecting spontaneous combustion, and an explosive charge held within the casing and adapted to be exploded upon the combustion of said material.

7. An aerial incendiary bomb comprising a casing including a plurality of sections, means for connecting said sections and adapted to release them when subjected to a predetermined degree of heat, and material held within the casifig said material being adapted to chemically combine with the oxygen in the air for effecting spontaneous combustion.

8. An aerial incendiary bomb comprising a casing including a plurality of sections, means for connecting said sections and adapted to release them when subjected to a predetermined degree of heat, material held within the casing, said material being adapted to chemically combine with the oxygen in the air during the flight of the bomb for effecting spontaneous combustion, and means v-for preventing accidental comlbustion of said material rior to the flight of the bomb}.

9. An aerial incendiary bomb comprising, a casing having openings formed therein near its opposite ends, a foraminous flue extending through the casing with its opposite ends in communication with said openings, a material held within said casing and surrounding the flue, said material being adapted to chemically combine with the oxygen in the air for efl'ecting spontaneous combustion, and means for-closing said openings.

10. In an incendiary bomb, a'casing having alining openings therein, a foraminous flue extending'between said openings, at ina- -terial combustible upon contact with air about said flue, means for normally closing said openings, means to prevent accidental movement of said closing means, and a liq uid within said casing to prevent accidental ignition of said combustible material.

11. An aerial bomb, including a casing. carrying a combustible miaterial adapted to. be ignited with air during the flight of the bomb, and also carrying an explosive material adapted to be exploded by the flames of the combustible material, and a liquid within said casing to prevent accidental ignition of said combustible material.

12. An incendiary bomb including a casing composed of a plurality of connected sections, said casing alining openings therein, a foraminous flue extending between said openings, means for normally closing said openings, said casing carrying a combustible material ada ted to be ignited by the air during the ight of said bomb, said connected sections adapted to be disconnected by the heat of combustible material.

'13. An incendiary bomb including a casing providedwith alining openings, a plug extending into said casing through one of said openings, a foraminous flue carried by said plug and extending centrally through said casing to form an air passage between said alining openings, valve seats formed above said openings, valves normally seated in said valve seats for closing said openings to prevent the entrance of the air into said casing, and a material combustible upon contact with air positioned within said casing about said foraminous flue.

14. An incendiary bomb including a casing provided with alining openings, a. plug extending into said casing through one of said openings, a foraminous flue carried by said plug and extending centrally through said casing to form an air passage between said alining openings, valve seats formed above said openings, valves normally seated in said valve seats for closing said openings to prevent the entrance of the air into said casing, and a material combustible upon contact with air positioned within said casing about said foraminous flue, a handle for said bomb, a rod connected to said handle and to said valve whereby said valve may be disconnected from said casing to permit the passage of air through said casing during the flight of the bomb. 15. An incendiary bomb including a casing provided with alining openings, a. plug extending into said casing through one of sa d openings, a foraminous flue carried by sa d plug and'extending centrally through sa dcaslng to form an air passage between said alining openings, valve seats formed above said openings, valves normally seated in said valve seats for closing said openings to prevent the entrance of the air into said casing, and a material combustible upon contact with air positioned within said casing about said foraminous flue, a handle for said bomb, a rod connected to said handle and to said valve whereby said valve may be disconnected from said casing to permit the passage of air-through said casing during the flight of the bomb, and means for preventin accidental movement of said valve.

16. n incendiary bomb including a casing composed of a plurality of sections connected by soft solder, said casing provided with alining openings in the ends thereof, a plug inserted in one of said openings and provided with a bore having its upper ends shaped to form a valve seat, a valve seat inserted in the opening opposite to the one in which said plug is inserted, valves seated in said valve seats, a stem connecting said valves, a handle connected to said stem, means carried by said handle for locking said valves in their seats against movement, and a material combustible upon contact with .air mounted in said casing, said valve adapted to be removed from said valve seat at the commencement of the flight of said bomb to permit the passage of air through the bomb casing;

17. An incendiary bomb including a casing composed of a plurality of sections connected by soft solder, said casing provided with alining openings in the ends thereof, a plug inserted in one of said openings and provided with a bore having its upper ends shaped to form a valve seat, a. valve seat insorted in the-opening opposite to the one in which said plug is inserted, valves seated in said valve seats, a stem connecting saida handle connected to said stem,

valves, means carried by said handle for locking said valves in their seats against accidentalmovement, and a material combustible upon Contact with air mounted in'said casing, said valve adapted to be removed from said valve seat at the commencement of the flight of said bomb to permit the passage of air through the bomb. casing, and a liquid within said casing to prevent accidental ignition of said combustible material.

- 18. An incendiary bomb including a casing composed of a lurality of sections connected by soft sol e-r, said casing provided with alining openings in the ends thereof, a plug inserted in one of said openings and provided with a bore having its upper ends shaped to form a valve seat, a

valve seat inserted in the opening opposite to the one in which said plug is inserted, valves seated in said valve seats, a stem connecting said valves, a handle connected to said stem, means carried by said handle for locking said valves in their seats against accidental movement, and a material combustible upon contact with air mounted in said casing, said valve adapted to be re moved from said valve seat at the commencement of the flight-of said bomb to permit the passage of air through the bomb casing, and a liquid within said casing to prevent accidental accidental ignition of said combustible material, said soft solder adjusted to be melted by the heat of the burning combustible material to disconnect the sections of said bomb casing during the flight of the bomb.

19. An incendiary bomb including a casing having alining openings therein, valve seats carried by said casing, valves seated in said valve seats and forming closures for the openings, a handle, a rod connected to said handle and connecting said valves, means connected to said handle for normally holding said valves seated against accidental movement, and a combustible material adapted to be ignited by the bomb during the flight of the bomb, positioned within said casing, said handle adapted to be movedfor permitting removal of said valve upon the commencingof the flight of saidbomb.

20. An aerial incendiary bomb comprising, a casing having ;a longitudinal air passage, plugs arranged within said passage and having valve seats formed therein, valves to contact with the valve seats for closing said passage, positive means to prevent the accidental displacement of the valves from their seats and adapted when manually operated to unseat the valves, and material held within the casing in proximity to the passage, to chemicall combine with the oxygen in the airrfor e ecting spontaneous combustion.

21. An incendiary bomb including a casing provided with alining openings, plugs inserted in said openings, valve seats formed in said plugs, valves seated in said valve seats for closing said openings, locking means to prevent accidental removal of said valves, said locking means operable upon ,ahalf-turn with relation to said casing to.

permit the removal of said valves.

22. An incendiary bomb including a cas-- ing provided with alining openings, plugs inserted in said openings, valve seats formed in said plugs, valves seated in said valve seats for closing said openings, locking means to prevent accidental removal of sai valves, and a foram'inous flue extending through said casing in alinement'with said openings.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses FRANK M. THOMAS. Witnesses ROBT. S, MEYER, EMILY LAw'roN;

air passing through i said material being adapted 

